More User Reviews:

5/5 rDev +38.1%look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I am well aware I have given this brew the highest ratings I can. If it were possible, I would rate it better than perfect. This authentically styled German Marzenbier is perfect in every way to me. It is one of the select few brews served at the authentic Oktoberfest in Munich, Bavaria, in which the beer served is regulated by location. Only a select few breweries in the city limits of Munich are allowed to serve beer there, and the brews must conform to the age old standard of Reinheitsgebot, or Bavarian Purity Law; very regimented brewing standards set in Bavaria back in the 16th century to conserve wheat and rye for food. This is also a festive seasonal beer, unique in type and in everything else. Marzen is traditionally served only in the fall. Marzen is German for "March," which is when this beer is brewed, and you can tell that this brew is done slow, and done right. The brew is left to ferment and age over the entire summer, and is to be served only during Oktoberfest, when the farmer's toil in the fields is finally paying off, and food is in abundance.

Let's get to the brew. To begin, it is best served ice cold, in a big glass. You want this glass clear as so that your eyes may feast upon the beautiful ruby-bronze hue of this crystal clear brew. The head is a pleasing off-white creamy color, and the lacing is rather sparse, but sticky. Already there's evidence of lots of caramel hops, and just a hint of sugar. The head is thick and creamy and when poured properly, leaves a nice little dome on the rim of your glass. The aroma is absolutely divine. Fresh baked, yeasty bread, and loads of malt, with just the slightest hint of campfire, and a subtle floral note to boot. The hops scent is almost nonexistent, but it will become prevalent with the taste. Oh, the taste. This beer tastes like a properly made, refreshing and satisfying lager. You can almost taste the crisp, early spring air rushing through the Bavarian countryside. The snow is melting, the trees are budding, and life has come back to the home of the world's best beers. It's going to be a good year. The brew ages and ferments very slowly in cool, dark cellars and gains all sorts of flavors. Autumn leaves are a subtle one I taste, along with a slight hint of molasses and toasted marshmallow. The finish is nice and crisp, slightly bitter and tart, but not too hoppy. The hops takes a back seat to all the other flavors found only in Marzen, and is well balanced. Spaten makes a damn good year-round Pilsner Lager, and they love their hops like nothing else. But here, they allow the humble drinker across the Atlantic here in Central Illinois to taste the Bavarian Autumn and its festivities at their fullest, not just Bavaria's prized hops. The craftsmanship blows me away every time. Overall mouthfeel is delectable as well, as this beer is just a tad more filling than most lagers, but hey, it's Oktoberfest! Indulge!

I recommend Spaten Oktoberfestbier Ur-Marzen to anyone who loves a satisfying, decadent beer, but isn't looking for something that's just good on its own. This is beer to be had with a feast, and with friends. Loud, boisterous laughter and hijinks will make this beer all the better. It tastes like a special occasion, so have a festival in your mouth with Oktoberfestbier, and you can bet it'll be a time with good friends you'll talk about for the rest of your life.

12oz green bottle bb May 2018 poured into a.5L krug at fridge temp 5.9% ABV. The beer pours bright dark honey amber in color with light khaki head. The head recedes slowly to a thin ring and some islands with spotty lacing. The aroma is mildly sweet toasted bread. The taste is full soft toasted bread with only a hint of sweetness. The finish quickly removes those flavors with a dry counterpoint bitterness that is appropriate and tasty. Mouthfeel is medium to thin bodied, well carbonated and dry in the finish. Overall, excellent Marzen. This is exactly what I look for in an Oktoberfest. Big soft bready initial flavor that transforms into a pleasant nuetral drying finish. Recommended, just watch for bottles sitting in the open light!

Another beer I tried when living in Milwaukee. Koppa's Polish Grocer across the street, boom.

Pours an amber and caramel color, solid 3/4" off white head on top. Aroma of mild burnt sugar, smells like fall. Tastes like fall, lower carbonation, lets the rich maltiness pair with that minimal sweetness. I mean, if you're going into Oktoberfest land, this is pretty much what you're going for I imagine. Bitterness tempered appropriately. A little bit of toffee to go along with the caramel. Not overly viscous. Nuttiness. Almonds. Clean, well made, no flaws. Not my cup of tea, but would still bang again given a mild fall evening.

This one out in my blind taste test amongst several German and American Oktoberfest beers. Beautiful dark Amber color with a big bubbled head which dissipates sooner than you'd like. Very faint nose (very clean) which could be the weakest part of this beer. The taste is outstanding, big malt, tea digestive biscuits, faint caramel notes. Fantastic Oktoberfest beer. I'll have a boot of this please.

Poured a shade of orange color with nice big rocky head,smell was really toasty a nice malty taste with some caramel tones along with some sweet toffee.It is nice to have decent examples of the style pretty much year around,bring on September to get the fresh beer!

Meh. I bought this because I remembered drinking some great Oktoberfest brews in Munich this time about two years ago. Then I remembered that my sis and I mostly drank Paulaner's Oktoberfest.

Hard to compare, because this is coming out of a case that had to be shipped across the ocean... but I wasn't impressed with this beer. It LOOKS good... great big, beige, frothy, lingering head. Smells sweet.

Just not very complex, to me. It has a slightly acidic aftertaste. I wish it had some more hops, to balance out it's over-maltiness.

If you're looking for an Oktoberfestbier, might as well buy the Paulaner.

Pours a solid copper with a thick white head that immediately dissipates to nothing. Visibly well carbonated.

Aroma is feint of caramel, must, and just a touch of German hops. I dont find any toast.

Taste is also a bit of a let down. Its not that there are bad things happening here. Its just that there isnt much at all going on here. Grainy with a floral finish but almost entirely lacking in toast and not sweet enough.

This is a tarnished copper color with a thin but fluffy eggshell colored head. The beer is virtually odorless to my nose. The flavor is pretty standard. Sweet, slightly biscuity malt, fruity hops, and a slightly metallic finish. This is exactly what I expect in an Oktoberfest. It is not bad but, I would much rather have a fresher, cheaper, one from an American brewer.

Pours a crystal clear dark caramel color. Initial pour had a decent soapy foam head of about 1-1/2 to 2 fingers deep, white, and didn't last long. Reduces quickly to a ring of white bubbles at the glass.

Very faint aromas of caramel malts and herbal grassy hops. Did I mention 'faint'? The aromas really aren't an impressive part of this brew.

Tastes are a touch malty, moderate malts, with a pretty good balance of hops. The slight sweetness is part of a solid flavor that stays together nicely though the whole tasting experience. Mouthfeel is a touch thinner or lighter than I expected with some pretty spritely carbonation. The finish goes a bit dry but there is still some of that moderate maltyness in the linger.

The overall experience is enjoyable and the drinkability is decent. Not the best Oktoberfest that I've ever had but it was enjoyable just the same.

Apperance was nice with a light amber color and a small white head that lasted and left decent lace down the glass. The smell had a certian grain and grass scent to it with not much else all, and the taste was simmilar. A mostly malty brew, this one did not have much in the way of hops or anyhting else. The mouthfeel was quite good though, with a good balance of carbonation and smoothness. Although this is not that exciting of a beer, it is easy to put back a few so I score it a little higher than others on the drinkability scale. But in the end, there are better Oktoberfest brews out there

Poured a dark copper body with a thin white head that fell to a cap. Faint aroma of sweet caramel malts and flowery hops. Mouthfeel was medium bodied with a crip carbonation. Flavors were sweet and refreshing with a hint of hop bitterness in the finish. Very good drinkability.

Pours from the green bottle a nice golden reddish orange color with a small white head. The smell is of caramel malts with some earthy tones and a bit of skunkiness as well.

The first sip is a creamy caramely nutty infusion. This was not what I was expecting from the weak smell. Quite complex and flavorful...this is a nice example of the Oktoberfest style.

Mouthfeel is right where it should be...a very nice consistency and not overly carbonated. Drinkability is good here as well. An all around tasty brew that I could drink many of. This is a great time of year for beer and Spaten adds to my enjoyment!

Enjoyed on tap. Pours a medium-brown with a light tan head.
Lots of malt aroma; bread and caramel and a hit of spicy hops as well.
Very tasty brew. Lots of malt goodness and some nice bittering and spicy hops to keep it interesting. beautiful balance.
Mouthfeel is light to medium and smooth.
Overall, a wonderful and refreshing Marzen. Would happily drink again.